Life has been very busy here in Nepal. In addition to the hectic schedule, everything takes 10 times as long to accomplish. There is no ability to make appointments, and if there is, chances are, things are running a few days late.
So here's a quick update on what we have been doing since Saturday:
- Sunday saw internet restored in our apartment. That has saved us taking turns walking to the lobby at regular intervals to check messages. We went swimming in our pool. It was CHILLY! despite it being a rather warm day and just toasty in the sunshine.
Tom & the smallest kids. Reeka & Fi & Kabita Karki
- Monday started early. Apsara needed to go to the dentist. It turns out that one of her baby molars needed to be extracted and boy, did she scream and howl! Everyone at the dental hospital was rather concerned and came running, but no one could console her. I think most of it was just the anticipation of the extraction, then follow by the fact Mum and Dad were there. By the end of school, she was her usual chirpy self and was more than happy to laugh up a storm.
I got the opportunity to meet with Sarayu's family in Chabil and enjoyed everyone's company greatly, not to mention the wonderful food that Amrita prepared.
Fi's daily hair decorations by the girls. Anu Maya & our Apsara sharing a laugh
- Tuesday: We hadn't figured out how to get laundry done in our apartment, so we drove into Thamel and enjoyed a morning and dropped off 10kgs of laundry to be done.
- Wednesday: Our driver, Tikaram, met us with our clean laundry and his brother to drive for us. His 6 year-old daughter developed jaundice and he needed to take care of her. I had lunch with Kalpana in New Road and she came up to meet the girls after school.
- Wednesday: Our driver, Tikaram, met us with our clean laundry and his brother to drive for us. His 6 year-old daughter developed jaundice and he needed to take care of her. I had lunch with Kalpana in New Road and she came up to meet the girls after school.
Our apartment building. Girls making a wish that Tom won't go bald!
- Today: APSARA'S birthday! What more do I need to say? She woke up to a new t-shirt and when she came into the kitchen for tea and biscuits, Roo was sitting on her chair waiting for her. She handed our lollies at lunch time like a super star and after school, came home, did homework and unwrapped her Lil Miss Sunshine watch. We went out for a dinner of chicken chowmein and lassi and finished up with my family tradition of Black Forest cake for dessert. We think she had a little too much fun today and had to be sent to bed early with a cold. She has a party on Saturday, so more pictures then too.
- Today: APSARA'S birthday! What more do I need to say? She woke up to a new t-shirt and when she came into the kitchen for tea and biscuits, Roo was sitting on her chair waiting for her. She handed our lollies at lunch time like a super star and after school, came home, did homework and unwrapped her Lil Miss Sunshine watch. We went out for a dinner of chicken chowmein and lassi and finished up with my family tradition of Black Forest cake for dessert. We think she had a little too much fun today and had to be sent to bed early with a cold. She has a party on Saturday, so more pictures then too.
Apsara doing Romila's hair
Some highlights:
- The feminist movement is in its fledgling state in Nepal. For the past week or so, they have had a feminist conference here at our hotel. We pass a banner every day that reads "We respect men who respect women. Real men do not dominate". It is very cute and Kabita & Apsara have really taken it to heart.
- On that note, our housekeeping staff walked in on Tom ironing the girls' uniforms and stood around for a while chortling. Kabita also walked in on it and her jaw just dropped. Apsara took everything in stride and said, "Dad, that is not correct how you are ironing. Kabita knows how to do, she will do".
- Tom downloaded "Speak and Spell" for the girls and they LOVE it.
- Apsara has been re-writing her life history. A couple of days ago, she said to me, "Mum, because my name is Apsara, that means nobody gave birth to me. I just came down from the sky and God told me to come and live with you."
Hope you enjoy the photos and I will send more soon!
Love
Fi
